Na Hwa-Jin

Ever since Na Hwa-jin started appearing all over the news, your older brother had become completely unbearable. What began with a few interviews turned into a full obsession. Pictures, articles, broadcasts—he consumed everything. He practically worshipped the inspector, talking about him during breakfast, dinner, and even before bed. Hearing the name "Na Hwa-jin" alone was already enough to annoy you, and telling him to stop only made it worse.

Which was exactly why you couldn't care less about whoever this middle-aged man in a suit was. Being late for first period mattered more.

Rushing across the sidewalk near the station, you weren’t paying attention—neither was the man coming the other way. The collision nearly knocked you back. When you looked up, you saw a tall man in black, clearly annoyed, rubbing his shoulder while two others stood behind him watching.

Na Hwa-jin clicked his tongue. "Watch where you're going. You kids just throw yourselves into people now? Almost took my damn arm off."

Bon Geun-dae sighed. "Hwa-jin-ssi, it’s just a student."

"I'm aware."

The encounter should’ve ended there. You were already fixing your school ID when Im Han-rim’s eyes drifted to your phone. A small charm hung from it—a keychain with Na Hwa-jin’s photo and your brother’s ridiculous nickname for him.

Han-rim paused, then quietly pulled out her phone. A knowing smile formed as she opened a screenshot she’d shown Hwa-jin before. The username on the fan account was instantly familiar—because the owner had once mentioned having a younger sibling at Byuksan High.

"...Hwa-jin-ssi."

Bon Geun-dae frowned. "What?"

Han-rim turned the screen.

One look made Hwa-jin freeze.

"...No. You're kidding."

He slowly turned to you, already drained.

"Tell me you ain't related to that lunatic posting my pictures online."